Ironing machine



Feb. 16, 1937. J. w. RACKLYEFT IRONING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwvmkoc Jb m M Fae/r4 YEFT.

E'iiii'iiliii Feb; 16, 1937.

J. w. RACKLYEFT IRON ING MACHINE Filed July .9, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Feb. 16,1937. J w, RACKLYEFT 2,071,264

' IRONING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1932 1 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 nvmswroze w l g BY Jomv W. PRC/r4 YEFZ ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1937. J. w. RACKLYEFT IRONING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4;

Filed July 9, 1932 8 3 w, 3 aw m E avm Feb. 16, 1937. J. w. RACKLYEFT IRONING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 W MN ,gwwmtoc' Joy/v W RHCA'L YEFII.

J. w. RACKLYEFT Feb, 16, 1937.

' IRONING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 7" gmmbw Patented Feb. 16, 1937 PATENT OFFICE IIRONING MACHINE John w. Racklyeft, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 9, 1932, Serial No. 621,658

39 Claims. (01. 3859) the manipulation of the machine itself or of the This invention relates to ironing machines and.

in particular electrically operatedironing ma chines for domestic use. I

Power driven ironing machines areebecoming widely used, but they are subject to various disadvantages, which are of material importance, especially in machines which are designed forjdomestic use, where a relatively low initial cost is required and where the cost of upkeep and maintenance must below.

- The present types of machinesare oftenobjectionable in that it is not possible to utilize advvantageously the full length of the ironing roll and the adjusting means for the shoe is often very unsatisfactory. The operating means for the roller is ordinarily of complicated design and the clutch used in such machines is generally of a relatively expensive construction. This invention is primarily concerned with the overcoming of these and other disadvantages in the present types of machines, which handicap the operation of the same. I

The present invention relates to a construction of an ironing machine for eliminating or at least minimizing the above disadvantages and having among its objects the production of a simple and inexpensive machine, both from the standpoint of initial cost and for maintenance.

The advantages of this invention are not solely for the benefit of the owner of such apparatus,

but they are also very material to the manufac-' turer as the parts are designed and arranged so as to be very easy to assemble andftoadjust'. Especially the adjustment of the shoe is such that it may be properly done in a few seconds S and, if necessary, it may be easily corrected by tended periods of time.

the owner if such adjustment becomes disturbed during shipment or use of the machine. As the means for adjusting the pressure between the roller and shoe is very accessible, this operation 1 is quickly and easily accomplished.

' The clutch and roll operating means are of simple and rugged construction thus assuring the satisfactory operation of the machine over ex- The roll is mounted on the housing in such a way that both ends of the. roll are free and open with respect to the shoe and roll supports and permit overhanging of the material on either end.

The roll supporting housing is designed in such a way as not to interfere with the working operations.

The cabinet is of attractive appearance, and is 7 designed in such-a way as to get the full use of the same during the operation and storing of the machine, by providing a table top when the ma- .chine is not in use and also providing in the use of the machine a carrying means for the ironed material without interiering'in anyway with articles being ironed.

These and other more specific objects and addriving end of the machine, certain parts being broken away, for convenience of illustration.

Figure 3 is a'detail side elevational view of the front intermediate portion of the ironer roll,

, showing the manner in which the roll and the shoe aresupported. I Figure 4 Ba side elevational view, partially in section of the machine, looking in the directions-3 of Figure 2. The cover .of the gear casing is removed to show the operating parts therein.

Figure 4A is a side elevational view, partially in section, looking in the direction opposite to Figure 3, and illustrating the lateral motion of' the ironing roller in a somewhat diagrammatical manner.

Figure 5 is a top plan view, partially in section of the machine as shown in Figure 2, wherein the .shoe has been removed and certain partsare broken away for convenience of illustration.

Figure 6 is an axial sectional view of the ironing roll and the supporting means therefor,

showing the details of said supporting means and the driving shaft coupling.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the other end of V the driving shaft, as shown in Figure 6, and its mounting within the jaw clutch.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of theworm drive shaft and its mounting within the housing of the machine.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the ball clutch employed in this machine.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-HI of Figure 9, showing the clutch parts i engaged position.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line ill-l0 of Figure 9, showing the clutch parts in dis-engagement.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the ball clutch,

taken on the line I2|2 of Figure 11-.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the line l3--l 3 of Figure 9, illustrating the different positions 'of the clutch actuating arm.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the yoke em ployed for the operation of the jaw clutch.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the locking in'strumentalities of the shoe.

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the vertical shoe tensioning means.

Figure 17 is a detail view showing the mounting of the tension spring shown in Figure 16.

taken on the line 2 |2| 'of Figure 20, the ironing mechanism having been omitted.

Figure 22 is a sectional view of the ironing roll.

Referring now to Figure 2, A indicates the housing of the driving instrumentalities comprising an upper compartment .8 and a lower compartment C. Mounted within the lower compartment C is an electric motor receiving current from a source of electric energy. Said motor is mounted within the said housing in a convenient manner as by means of screws 2, received in suitably threaded holes formed in the outer wall 3 of the casing A. Mounted on the shaft 4 of the motor is a pulley 5.

A shaft 6 is positioned in the upper compartment B and carries a pulley I on one end. The

shaft 8 extends through the front wall 8 of the housing A and leads into another compartment D in front of the housing A. Said compartment- D is formed in part by a cover plate 8a which is hinged to the housing B as shown at 9, and is firmly held in closed position by means of a screw Ill-fastening the same to the housing A. Removal of the screw I0 will allow opening of the compartment D to give easy access to the instrumentalities mounted therein. A belt connects pulley 8 and pulley 1 for power transmission.

As stated before, the shaft 8 is mounted within the upper compartment B. This is clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 8. The outer wall 8 of the casing A comprises a reinforced portion -|2a having a flanged bore -l2. An upwardly extending portion I3 is carried by the wall portion l4, which separates compartments B and C, and it has a bore I5 for the reception of a ball bearing I8 mounted on one end of the shaft 8. 'A ball bearing I! is. mounted on the other end of the shaft l8 and is arranged to flt properly in the bore |2. A retaining member I8 is employed to hold the bearing member I! properly in place and to prevent motion of the shaft 8 in a longitudinal direction. Said retaining member I8 is secured to the reinforced portion l2a of the wall 8 by means of screws i9.

A stufling nut 20 screws into a threaded portion 2| of the retaining member l8, holding a com-' pressible gasket 22 in proper pressure against the shaft 8 to prevent any oil leakage about the shaft 8 toward pulley i, which would cause slipping of the belt resulting in improper transmission of power from the motor I. Intermediatethe ball bearings l8 and I1 is a worm 23 mounted on shaft 8 in any suitable manner.

The reinforced portion |2a of the casing A is connected with the upwardly extending portion l3 by means of a bridge 24 having a bearing portion as shown at 25 in Figure 4. -A shaft 28 is mounted within said bearing'25 and 'extends into a bearing 21a mounted in the centrally bored boss of the housing A and secured-thereto by means of a set screw 21b.

The free end 23 of the shaft 28- extends outwardly from the bearing 28 and carries a worm gear 38 keyed thereto and held properly in place by means of a locking member 3|. Said worm gear 38 is in suitable engagement with the worm 23 to transmit rotation from theworm to the shaft 28. A gear 32 and a ball clutch 33 are mounted between the bearings 28 and 21a and a coil spring 34 is placed therebetween for purposes to be hereinafter set forth The ball clutch 33,'detailsof which are shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, comprises an eccentric cam 35 having rigidly connected therewith a ring like intermediate clutch portion 38 provided with a bore 82 for the reception of a clutch ball. An inner clutch member 31 of sleeve-like formation. having cavities 38 for the reception of a clutch ball 38, is mounted within the member 38 and is member 4| of ring-like configuration, having a longitudinal groove 42, is adapted to cause in different positions of the ring 4| with respect to the member 38 engagementor dis-engagementof the clutch. I y

An annular shoulder 43 is provided. on the member 4| for the reception of a circular plate 44 having arms 48 and 48. extending through slots 41 and 48 formed in the shouldered end of the outer clutch member 4|. The helical spring 34 is mounted on the shaft 28 between the spur gear 32 and clutch 33. Said spring grips the shaft under slight tension so thatrotation of the shaft will tend to cause a corresponding rotation of the spring. One end of the spring is free and its other end secured to the plate 44 by insertion of v the same into a hole in said. plate 44. The -ifrictional engagement between the shaft 28 and the spring 34 will tend to urge the plate 44 and outer clutch member 4| to the dotted line position of Figure 13 and the position shown in Figure 10, thus causing the engagement of the clutch members for transmission of rotation from the shafts 8 and 28 to the intermediate clutch member 38 and cam 38. If the ball clutch 33 is in the disengaged position shown in Figure 11 and the full line position of Figure 13,- the clutch ball will oscillate in a radial direction as there is nothing to restrain its motion, butif the clutch is engaged, as shown in Figure 10, the ball will not be permitted to move out of its respective cavity 38 as the surface of the ring 4| bearing against said ball will not permit such oscillatory movement of the same. .The clutch actuating arms 45 and 48 and the spring 34 are for the purpose of controlling engagement and disengagement of the clutch and the operation of 'the same will be later described.

The housing A is provided with several sockets or bearings 83, 83a, 84. 88, and 88. A standard or tubular member 81 tightly fits within the sockets 53 and 53a. Another tubular member i4 is rotatably mounted within the standard 81 for purposes which will hereinafter become apparent. Two standards 88 and 88 are mounted within the sockets 84 and 88 and are secured therein against rotation by means of'pins 8| and 82. The free ends of the standards 88 and 80 opposite their sockets '84-and 85 carry a supporting member 83 and aresecured thereto by means of pins 84 and 88. A tubular shaft 88 is journaled within the socket 88 and extends through the lower portion 830 of the supporting member 83. The free end of said shaft 88, designated at 880.; carries a sup- .porting member or crank arm 81.

A roll supporting cage 88 is mounted on a shaft 88 by means of a threaded portion HI screwed on the threaded end ll of the shaft 88. The shaft 83'and a shaft 89a rotate in a bushing 13 received within the upper portion of the supporting member or crank arm81. At the point where'the shaft 69 enters the bushing 13, there is a flexible joint connection between the shafts 69 and89a. This-flexible joint connection is illustrated in Figure 6 and consists of 'a pin 14 mounted on the end of the shaft 69a and a sleeve 15 secured by means of a pin 16 to the shaft portion 89. Said sleeve has a slot 11 for the reception of the pin 14 so that when said pin is inserted in the slot of the sleeve member, a flexible driving connection will be obtained.

The other end of the shaft portion 59a. is connected in a similar manner to a jaw clutch member 18 by a pin 19 which is rather loosely received in the slot 80 in said clutch member 18. 'A compression coil spring 8| of substantially the same diameter of shaft 89a is slid upon this end of said shaft with the end of the spring remote from'the clutch in tight engagement with the shaft. A cotter pin 82 is inserted through a hole in shaft 890 to hold said spring in the desired engagement with the clutch member 18. One end 83 of said spring is mounted within a hole 84 in said jaw member -'18. v

The result accomplished by this peculiar connection may be briefly described as.follows:-

If the jaw clutch formed by the clutch members 18 and 85, is disengaged and the yoke '81 is released so as to permit engagement of the clutch members, it will be obvious that at the same time if the jaw teeth 88 and 89 engage, there will be a large amount of friction between them at the surfaces of their teeth indicated by numeral 90, thus preventing proper engagement of the same and causing unnecessary wear on such surfaces. Therefore, this novel construction permits the clutch member 18 to be rotated against the slight tension of the spring 8I until the pin 19 engages the side surface 9I of the slot '80. The small amount of play provided by the slot and controlled by the slight tension of the said spring will give both the jaw clutch members?" and suflicient time to engage properly before application of the load and any destructive friction on the driving surfaces of the teeth of said jaw clutch members tially eliminated.

Aspreviously described, the tubular member. 66 is mounted for rotation in the socket 56, and

will be substanextends through the same into the compartment B and carries a yoke 92. .The other end of said tube 56 is guided through the bearing portion 63a and rigidly carries on its free end, aspreviously described, the member 61. A pin. 93 is mounted on said tube to contact with a cam shaped lip 99 formed-on the yoke member 81 and it is adapted to control the engagement and disengagement of the jaw clutch member 18. A detail of this yoke is shown in Figure 14. Said yoke is mounted by means of a bracket 95 to the housing A as shown at 95 in Figure 2. Said bracket 95 carries the yoke member 81 to which are I secured two pins 91 adapted for the purpose of engaging with an annular slot 98 in the jaw clutch member 18. -'The downwardly extending cam portion 99 of the yoke 81 contacts with the tube and pin 93 of said tube is for the purpose of engaging member 99 to-shift. the yoke and the member 18 in one direction, causing disengagement of the clutch. Coil spring 8|, which was mentioned before in connection with the mounting ,of the shaft 89, serves also for the purpose of shifting the clutch member 18 to effect the engagement of the clutch when the pin 93 is not in contact withthe yoke cam portion'99. The

eifect of this operation will be later set forth.

A cam I00 is mounted in close proximity to yoke member 81 as shown in Figure 14 and said cam may be operated by a lever IOI to hold the yoke 81 in-such a position as to perform a disengagement of the jaw clutch. This manual control for said clutch is desirable when the operator wants to stop the motion of the ironing roller while the same is pressed against the shoe for pressing operations, and the very desirable feature of this arrangement will be brought out later in this description. The tubular standard 51 is mounted,

as previously mentioned, within the sockets 53 and 53a and a pin I03 passing through the socket 53 and tube 51 holds the tube stationary against rotation.- Another tube I04 is rotatably mounted within said tube 51 and two slots in the tube I04,

cantilever tension spring I09 secured thereto by means of screws H0 and III. The other end of said tension spring bears against the upper por tion of the shoe arm I I2. Said shoe arm I I2 comprises two bearing members I I4 and I I 5 surrounding tube 51 and being rotatable thereon. A spider II6 carrying the shoe I I1 and secured thereto by means .of screws H8, is hinged to said arm by a pin 9.

It will be obvious that if the inner tube I04 is locked in a certain position, a pressure will be created in the spring I09, tending to force the arm H2 and shoe II1 against the padded ironing roll I 20, said ironing roll I20 being carried by and such motion is caused by the movement 'of the shaft 66 and its associated yoke 92.

The, shoe II1 may be easily detached from its supporting arm by removing'bolt H9 and it can be very easily cleaned by releasing the lever I2I whereupon the shoe can be moved away from the roll to permit it to be swung about the bolt II9 to present its ironing surface in accessible position. I

The sleeve I01 has an extension IBI adapted to move within a slot I62 on the bearing member II5 of the shoe supporting arm. This will limit the-'motion of the arm II2 so that when the roll is moved away from the shoe as shown in dotted lines 'in Figure 4A the spring I09 does not cause the shoe to follow the roll as would occur if such means were not provided and when the lever I2I is released the shoe can be tilted back only a limited distance. a

- The jaw clutch member 85 is mounted on a shaft 'I59,.journaled in a boss 86 which extends into the compartment B of the housing A. A spur gear I60, in mesh with a spur gear 32 on the shaft 26 is secured to the free end of shaft I59 within the compartment Band serves for the purpose of transmitting power from the gear 32 to 85 and 18 and thence to the the supporting member 68, as previously mentioned herein. The member 61 and the roll I20 may be swung toward or away from the shoe, as

illustrated in full and dottedlines in Figure 4A,

ironing purposes in the same manner as the opposite open or free end of said ironing roll. Sharp edges on said housing are eliminated. -The outer configuration of the same is such as not to interfere with the ironing operation of the machine and the portion of the housing below the roll has its rearmost wall located forwardly of a vertical plane through the lowermost line of contact between the ironer roll and shoe whereby ample space is provided for the passage of goods being ironed at the end of the roll adjacent to such under the influence of spring as shown in Figures housing.

It should be noted that the tensioning means for regulating the pressure between the shoe and the ironing roll is mounted on the supporting arm of said-shoe and no tensloning means within the roller is necessary, thus simplifying very much the construction of the supporting means for the roll.

As previously stated, the tubular member 63 carries a yoke 92; the said yoke 92 contacts with the outer circumference of cam member 35 on the clutch 33 so that if the clutch is-engaged, the cam member 35 normally will rotate one hundred and eighty degrees, causing a certain motion of the yoke 92 which is transferred to the tubular member 66 and pin 93 actuating the jaw clutch, and rotating member 61 a slight amount as previously mentioned.

An emergency shoe release lever I2I, is secured to the inner tube I04 and held by a locking means I22 in position so as to allow the contacting of the shoe with the ironing roll. The lock mem-. ber I22 is provided with a the locking means I22 may be swung out of the way of the free end of arm I2I as indicated'at I24, to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1 15. This releases the shoe II1 from the roll for cleaning and safety purposes. To lock the shoe I I1 again in its original position, it is only necessary to press the free end I24 of arm I2I down wardly until the locking member I22 which is I25 engages said portion I24. The ironing roll l20'is formed with an inwardly projecting longitudinal rib I20 adapted to engage with the slot I21 of the cage 68 to hold said roll against rotation on this supportingmember and to allow transmission of power from the same to the roll. A tubular pad I23 made preferably from sponge rubber, see Figure 22, is mounted upon the roll I20 and is enclosed by a cover I29 overlappingthe end of the roll where it is drawn together by a string I30.

The ball clutch. actuating arms 45 and 43 which control the engagement of the ball clutch,

abut againstthe extension I3I of an arm I32 mountedupo: a shaft I33 having a trip lever I34 to cause} 'lsengagement of the clutch 33. Actuation of t e trip lever I34 will swing the extension I3I on t he arm I32 out of the path of 45 and 48 and spring 34 will cause engagement of the said clutch. The arm I32 upon release of the lever I34 will then be returned to its normal position by the power of a coil spring I35 mounted with one cnd secured to the housing A while the other end is secured-to the arm I32 as at I39. A removable cover F is provided, permitting easy access to the compartment Band. is secured thereto by means of screws I31.

The machine ismounted within the cabinet 1, 18; 19, 20, and 21. Said cabinet includes a table-top portion I30. The table-top is connected with a frame I39 of the cabinet by means of brackets I40 secured to trip lever I23 so that 7 the top supporting members I33a. Said brackets are rotatably secured by means of stud shafts HI and I42 to the frame I-39,'said stud shafts being a part of brackets l40 and having their axes coinciding with the axis of the tube 51. One of the brackets I40 is fixed to the outer tubular member 51 while the other bracket I40 is secured to the housing A of the machine by means of extensions I43 of said bracket.

. From the foregoing it will be obvious that the table-top I33 and the ironing machine may be rotated around the stud shafts i4I and I42, thus permitting the machine and top portion I33 of the cabinet to be swung from the position shown in Figure 1 to the positionshown in Figure 20.

A front plate I44 is hinged to a cross bar I45 mounted between the front legs I46 and I41. The front plate I44 may be swung in the direction shown by van arrow in Figure 20 until the lower surface of the same contacts with the frame I39 of the cabinet and it,may then be shifted inwardly and underneath the housing A of the ironing machine as shown in Figure l. The frame I39 and the casing A will hold said front plate I44 inplaca, preventing the tilting action of the same; 1

Two side plates I48 and I49 are hinged to plates I50 and I5I and may be swung outwardly as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 19 to provide suflicient supporting surface for the ironed material. ,Stop members I52 are secured to said sideplates to abut'against the frame I39 and to hold said side plates I40 and I49 in a horizontal position. A rear member I53 is hinged as shown at I54 to the top supporting member I33a and will slide downwardly from the position shown in Figure 20 to the position indicated in Figure 19 when the cabinet is open. Another rear plate I55 is provided to close the lower portion of the cabinet at the rear. The cabinet is supported by legs I43, 1,155, and I51, having rollers I50 for easy movement. The height of the cabinet is the. same as that of a regular table so that it may be utilized for such purpose when not in use as an ironer.

I A .plate I90 is connected to the top plate support I33a to form a tablelike surface in cooperation with the front plate I44 when the cabinet is opened.

A tension spring able screw I2Ib, as shown is secured between the shoe supporting arm H2 and the shoe to adjustably and flexibly control the vertical alignment between the shoe and the roll.

It has to be noted that the shoe and roll are supported ,attheir respective centers by means of theirrespective supporting devices. This will permit a certain amount of yielding of boththe shoe and roll in a. horizontal plane to compensate for different thickness of the material to be I2Ia carriedby the adjustin Figures 16 and 17,

ironed. The centrally located roll bearing also prevents binding of the roll bearings due to bending of roll supports as would occur if the roll bearings were in thecends of the roll and carried on a tube supported at one end only by the housing A.

35. The clutch actuating arm 49 is in the posiironing roll while the same is in engagement with" tion shown in Figure 4, abutting against the extension .I3I of the arm I32, and the clutch 33 is now in a disengaged position, so that the shaft 26 willbe permitted to freely rotate.- The yoke 92 contacting with the cam 35 of the ball clutch is in such a position as to cause disengagement of the jaw clutch I8 by means of pin 93 and yoke 81. The shoe II! is provided with an electric heater (not shown) and this heater is connected. by any suitable means with a source of electric current and has to become sufliciently not before ironing operations can be started. The emergency shoe released lever I2I is in a position as shown in Figure 15, holding the shoe in proper relation to the ironing roll. The material to be ironed is now placed upon the ironing roll I20 and the trip lever I34 is operated. This will cause release of the clutch actuating arm 46 and the coil spring 34 ofthe'ball clutch 33 will rotate the member. 4| from the position shown in Figure 11 to the position shown in Figure 10 to cause engagement of .said clutch, and rotational motion will now be transmitted from the clutch shaft26 to the cam 35, shifting the yoke 92 which will cause such rotation of the-tube 66 as will disengage pin 93 from the cam portion 99 of the yoke 31. The coil spring 3| will now force the clutch member I8 to the right to engage with the other clutch member 85, andthe shafts 69 and 69a start to rotate, turning with them the roll supporting member 68 and the roll I20 toward the ironing shoe I" so that the material which has been placed upon said roll will be forced between the roll and the shoe,

.the latter pressing against the roll under a certain tension created by the spring I09 and the ironing operation may then be performed, as the mediately released by tripping the lever I23.

As previously mentioned, the clutch actuating arm 46 has been released and the clutch engaged by means of the spring 34. The releasing arm I 32 moves back to its original position by means of the coil spring I35 and thereafter the clutch actuating arm 45 moves into position where it will abut against the extension I3I, and the ball,

clutch will disengage automatically after one. half of a revolution. During,this time of engagement and disengagement of the clutch, the yoke 92 has been shifted sufficiently to cause the required rotation of member 61 necessaryfor moving the roll against the shoe and upon disengagement of the clutch the ironing roll will be held in this position until the trip lever I34 is actuated again, causing clutch actuating arm' 45 to be free to cause engagement of the clutch and to return the ironing roll to its original position away f mm the shoe. After this action takes place the clutch is again disengaged by the arm 46 engaging the lever I34. At the same time the pin 93 on the tube 66 will engage the portion 99 of the jaw clutch yoke 31 moving said/yoke to the .left, causing disengagement between the clutch members 85 and I3. This will stop the rotation of the roll 'I2Ii. and another-piece of material to be ironed may be now placed -upon said roll, or the operation of such ironing machine may be continued without releasing. the roll from the shoe.

If it is desired to stop the rotation of the the shoe I II, it isonly necessary to trip the lever IIlI. This will cause immediate disengagement of the jaw clutch member 13 so that the operator is in a position to apply more heat to a certain portion of the material to be ironed than the regular operation of the machine will allow and the now non-rotatable roll can be shifted toward and from the shoe for pressing operation. It is 'of course understood that-the roll is free to be turned by hand during th pressing operations at such times as when it s not in engagement with the shoe. If the tension between the shoe and the ironing roll needs readjustment, this can be accomplished by turning the screws III] and III. The screw I2Ib incooperation with the tension spring connected thereto controls the vertical alignment of the shoe. When the machine ment of operation, the electriccurrent to the motor I and the current supply of the shoe 1 should be turned off and the cabinet may be closed.

The present application discloses a novel form' of ironer mechanism or gearing'including a disconnectible driving connection inside the roll and a second disconnectible drivingconnection inside the gear case. herein as a pair of clutches, one of which controls, the operation of the other. The aforesaid mechanism of gearing constitutes a part of my application Serial No. 120,959, filed January 16, 1937 for Ironing machine and is not being-specifically claimed herein.

These connections are illustrated Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A power driven ironing machine comprising the combination with a supporting structure, of an ironer shoe and a power actuated ironing roll mounted upon said structure, said roll being shoe, the shoe being provided with tensioning means from producing yielding pressure when said shoe and roll arein engagement with each other, and means for moving said shoe away from said roll.

2. A power driven ironing machine comprising,

in combination, a power actuated ironing roll, a shoe mounted adjacent the roll, and a combined cabinet and supporting structure for the roll and shoe comprising relatively movable cooperating the combination with a supporting structure, of

an ironing roll and driving ineans therefor carried by the supporting structure, a shoe mounted adjacent to the roll, a supporting arm carrying the shoe, and means permitting yielding movement ofthe shoe toward and away from the roll, the said means comprising an outer tube carry-.

ing the supporting arm, an inner tube within the outer tube. a spring interconnected with the inner tube and normally holding the supporting arm and shoe in position closely adjacent the roll, and releasable locking instrumentalities inmembers one of which is movable about a'hor- 40 adapted to move toward and away froni the said a terconnected'with the inner tube to permit turning of the said inner tube upon release of the locking instrumentalities to adapt the shoe for movement away from the roll when desired.

4. An ironing machine comprising, in combination, ironing instrumentalities, and a supporting structure comprising a cabinet having a horizontal top plate rigidly connected with the ironing instrumentalities, and adapted to assume a vertical position, a frame carrying said top plate, a bar within said frame, a front plate adapted to assume vertical and horizontal positions and carried by said bar and frame respectively in the respective positions of the said front plate, side plates hinged on the frame and adapted to swing from a vertical into a' horizontal position, stop members to hold the side plates in a horizontal position, locking means between the top plate and the side plates,'and arear plate movably connected with they top plate, the rear plate being adapted to remain in a .vertical position when the top plate is in its vertical or horizontal position.

5. An ironing machine comprising, in combination, ironing instrumentalities and a supporting structure to which the ironing instrumentalities are connected and comprising a plurality of cooperating members adapted to permit swinging movement of the ironing instrumentalities about a horizontal axis through an arc of substantially ninety degrees from a housed inoperative position to an exposed operative position, and contrarily, the said members" forming a flat-topped housing of table height when the ironing instrumentalities are dropped to inoperative position, and forming a work supporting surface and a guard for the ironing instrumentalities, respectively, when the said instrumentalities are swun into operative position, the axis of such swinging movement being located a substantial distance below the housing top when in its closed position.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a

structure adapted to carry a machine element comprising a frame carrying the said flat surnected to the frame and adapted tohave a maand comprising means for moving the machine element from an inoperative to an operative position, and contrarily, the said means being, formed of a flat surfaced member to which the said machine element is connected, the structure also faced member, end members connecting said machine element to said flat surfaced member and hinged to the frame, and a member carried by the frame adapted to serve as a work supporting member'when the saidmachine element is in operative position and being vertically disposable on the frame when the machine element assumes its inoperative position, the members of said structure cooperating to form a cabinet-iike "housing covering and concealing the said machine element when the element is in its inoperative position.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame, a flat surfaced member hingedly conchine element secured thereto for movement from an inoperative to an operative position and contrarily as the flat surfaced member is moved upon its hinged connections, and a second member movably carried by the frame, the said second member being adapted to be carried by the frame in a horizontal plane to provide a work table when the said machine element is in its operathe position, the said ,second member, being adapted to be carried by the frame in a vertical position at the front of said apparatus when the 2,071,264 7 said machine element is moved to its inoperative position, thereby cooperating with the said fiatlike housing for the said machine element.

8. A power driven ironing machine comprising a supporting structure, an ironing roll, a shoe, a supporting arm connected to the shoe, a tubular member carrying the supporting arm, a second member within the tubular member, a sleeve operatively connected with the second member and movable therewith, a spring engagingsaid arm adjustably mounted upon said sleeve whereby the ironing pressure between the roll and the surfaced member toform therewith a cabinetshoe may be adjusted, and means for moving said second member to force the said shoe against said roll.

9. An ironing machine comprising the combiprising a roll and a shoe mounted thereon, means for effecting relative movement between said ele-:

"nation with a, supporting structure, an ironing ments so as to bring them into engagement and disengagement with each other, means for resiliently supporting said shoe'from a point inter-- mediate its ends, and means. for supporting said roll solely from one end thereof comprising a .mechanism housing carried by said structure and having an upper end coinciding substantially to the peripheral outline of the upper half of said roll and shaped so as to smoothly blend into the end of the'roll, the portion of said housing below said roll having its rearmost wall positioned forwardly of the vertical plane including the line of contact between lowermost part of said shoe and said roll whereby ample space is provided for goods ironed at the end of the roll adjacent to the housing.

11. An ironing 'machine comprising, a supporting structure, cooperating ironing elements mounted thereon, means for effecting relative movement between said elements so as to bring them into engagement and disengagement with each other, means for supporting one of said elements solely fromone end thereof comprising a mechanism housing carried by said structure and having an upper end shaped so as to smoothly blend into the'end of such element, and means carried by said structure. for supporting the other ironing element from a point intermediate its ends, the portion of said housing below said end-supported ironing element having its rearmost wall positioned forwardly of the vertical plane including the lowermost line of contact between said ironing elements whereby ample space is provided for the goods ironed at the mechanism housing end of the machine.

12. An ironing machine'comprising, a supporting structure, a cooperating roll and shoe mounted thereon, 'means for effecting relative movement'between said roll and shoe so as to bring them into engagement and disengagement with each other, means for supporting said roll solely from one end thereof comprislng a mechanism housing carried by said structure and having an upper end shaped so as to smoothly blend into the end of said roll, and means carried by said structure for supporting said shoe from a point intermediate its ends, the portion of said housing below. said end-supported ironing element having its rearmost w'all positioned forwardly of the vertical plane including the lowermost line of contact between said ironing elements whereby ample space is provided for the goods ironedat the mechanism housing end of the machine.

13. An ironing machinecomprising, a support-. ing structure, cooperating ironing elements mounted thereon, means for effecting relative movement between said elements so as to bring them'into engagement and disengagement with each other, and means carried by said structure for supporting said elements solely from points intermediate their ends.

14. An ironing machine comprising, a support ing structure, cooperating ironing elements mounted thereon, means, for effecting relative movement between said elements so as to bring them into engagement and disengagement with each other, and means carried by said structure for supporting said elements solely fromgpoints which are intermediate their ends and opposite to each other. 1

15. An ironing machine comprising, in combination, ironing instrumentalities, and a supporting structure comprising a cabinet having a horizontal top plate rigidly connected with the ironing instrumentalities, and adapted to assume a vertical position, a frame carrying said top plate, a bar. within said frame, a front plate adapted to assume vertical and horizontal positions and carried by said, bar and frame respectively in the respective positions of the said front plate, and a rear plate movably connected with the top plate,- the rear plate being adapted to remain in a vertical position when the top plate is in its vertical or horizontal position. v

16. An ironing machine comprising, in combination, ironing instrumentalities, and a supporting structure comprising a cabinet having a horizontal top plate rigidly connected with the ironing instrumentalities and adapted to assumea vertical position, a frame carrying said top plate, a'bar within said frame, and a front plate adapted to assume vertical and horizontal positions and carried in such position by said bar and frame respectively.

17. An ironing machine comprising, in combination, ironing instrumentalities, and a supporting structurecomprising a cabinet having a horizontal top plate rigidly connected with the ironing instrumentalities, and adapted to assume a vertical position, a frame carrying said top plate, a bar within said frame, a front plate, adapted to assume vertical and horizontal'positions and carried in such positions by said bar and frame respectively, side plates hinged on the frame and adapted to swing from a vertical into a horizontal position, stop members to hold the side plates in a horizontal position and locking means between the top plate and the side plates.

18. Ina device of the class described, the com-' bination with an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising, a

' supporting frame, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism to-said frame for movement about a horizontal axis from aconcealed position to an operative exposed position, a member providing a work receiving surface beneath said ironer mechanism and movable independently thereof from its operative position beneath,

the ironer mechanism to a position elsewhere on the device where it forms an outer wall of the cabinet structure, and a top wall of table height movable with said ironer mechanism from a horizontal position above the same to a substantially vertical position rearwardly thereof, the work receiving surface of said member being disposed at a substantial distancebelow the horizontal level of said top wall.

4 19. In a device of the class described, the combihation with an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising-a supporting frame, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism to said frame for movement about a horizontal axis from a concealed position to an operative exposed position, a front wall member movable from a vertical position to a horizontal position providing-in such latter position a work receiving surface beneath said ironer'mechanism, and a topwall of table height movable with said ironer mechanism from a horizontal position above the same to a substantially vertical position rearwardly thereof, the work receiving surface of said member being disposed at a substantial distance below the horizontal level of said top wall.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising, a

beneath the ironer mechanism to a position else-- .where on the device where it forms an outer wall of the cabinet structure, an end wall movable from a vertical to a horizontal position, and a top wall of table height movable with said ironer mechanism from a horizontal position above-the same to a substantially vertical position rearwardly thereof the work receiving surface of said member being disposed at a substantial distance below the horizontal level of said top wall. 1 1

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising, a

supporting frame, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism to said frame for movement about 'a horizontal axis from a concealedposition to an operative exposed position, a

' member providing a work receiving surface beneath said ironer mechanism, a top wall of table height movable with said ironer mechanism,

from a horizontal position above the same to a substantially vertical position rearwardly thereoifiand a vertically movable rear wall associated with said top wall and movable from a position behind said mechanism to a position therebelow, the work receiving surface of said member being disposed at a substantial distance below the horizontal level of said top wall.

22. In a device 'of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising, a supporting frame, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism to said frame for movement about a horizontal axis from a concealed position to an "operative exposed position, a member providing a work receiving surface beneath said ironer mechanism, a top wall of table height movable with said ironer "mechanism supporting frame,

from a horizontal position above the same to a substantially vertical position rearwardly thereof, and a rear wall pivotally secured at its upper edge to the rear edge of said top wall and movable from a position behind said mechanism to a position therebelow,-the work receiving surface of said-member being disposed at a substantial distance below the horizontal level of said top wall.

23. In a device. of the class described, the combinationwith an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising; a

supporting frame, means for pivotaliy securing said ironer mechanism to said frame for movement abouta horizontal axis from a concealed position to an operative exposed position, a front wall member movable from a vertical position to a horizontal position providing in such latter position a work receiving surface beneath said ironer mechanism, a top wall of table height movable with said ironer mechanism from a horizontal position above the same to a substantially vertical position rearwardly thereof, and a vertically movable rear wall associated with said top wall and movable from. a position behind said mechanism to a position therebelow, the work receiving surface of said member being disposed -at a substantial distance below the horizontal level of said top wall.

24. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising, a

said ironer-mechanism to said frame for movement about a horizontal axis from a concealed position 'to an operative exposed position, an end wall movable from a vertical to a horizontal posi- 1 tion on about the same level as that of the work receiving surface, a front wall member movable '40 same to a from a vertical position to a horizontal position providing in such latter position a work receiving surface beneath said wall of table height movable with said ironer mechanism froma horizontal position above the substantially vertical position rearwardly thereof, and a vertically movable rear wall associated with said top wall and movable from a position behind said mechanism to a position "therebelow, the work' receiving surface of' said member being disposed at a substantial distance below the horizontal level of said top wall. 25. A power driven ironing machine comprising the combination with a supporting structure, of

an ironer shoe-and apower actuated ironing roll mounted upon said structure, said roll being adapted to move toward and away from the said' shoe, the shoe being provided with tensioning means for producing yielding pressure when said shoe and roll are in engagement with each other, and a manually operable safety release for moving said shoe away from said roll.

26. A power driven ironing machine comprising the combination with a supporting structure, of an ironer shoe and a power actuated ironing roll mounted upon said structure, said roll being adaptedto move toward and aifiay from the said shoe, the shoe being provided with tensioning means for producing yielding pressure when said .shoe and roll are in engagement with each other,

and a manually operable locking device for releasing said shoe'for movement away from said roll.

2'7. In a device of the class described, the combination of an ironer mechanism,

means for pivotally securing ironer mechanism, a topof a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising, a

supporting frame, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism to said frame for a movement of substantially ninety degrees about a horizontal axis from an inoperative to an operative position, and a table top fixed to said ironer mechanism and movable therewith from a horizontal position thereabove to a vertical position behind the ironer mechanism, the axis of movement of said ironer mechanism and table top. being located a substantial distance below said table top when in its horizontal. position.

28. An ironing machine mechanism comprising, a heated shoe and a padded rotatable roll, and a supporting structure therefor comprising a rigid member extending part way into said roll,

a rotatable roll supporting member displaceably carried by said rigid member engaging said roll at a point intermediate the ends thereof which are otherwise unsupported, and means for eflecting the lateral displacement of said roll supporting member. for moving said roll into and out of pressing engagement with said shoe. 1

29. An ironing machine mechanism comprising, a heated shoe and a padded rotatable roll,

and a supporting structure therefor comprising a rigid member extending into said roll, a roll carrying, rotatable member engaging the inter mediate portion of said roll and means associated with said rigid member for supporting said rotatable member for movement about an axis parallel -to and to one side of the roll axis.

30.v An ironing machine mechanism comprising, a heated shoe and a padded rotatable roll, a

' supporting structure therefor comprising a rigid member extending into said roll,-a roll carrying, rotatable member engaging the intermediate portion of said roll and means provided by said rigid member for supporting said rotatable member for movement about an axis parallel to and to one side of theroll axis, and power means for oscil-' 40 lating and rotating said rotatable member. 31. A power driven ironing machine comprising, in combination, a power actuated ironing roll, a shoe mounted adjacent the roll, and a combined cabinet and supporting structure for the roll and shoe comprising relatively movable cooperating members one of which is movable about a horizontal axis located a substantial distance below the top of the machine when in its inoperative position whereby it is adapted to assume horizontal and vertical positions in adjusting the machine to its respective inoperative and operative positions, the roll andshoe being connected to the vertically assuming member and movable therewith, the said last-named member being adapted to form a horizontal table top for the cabinet of the machine when the machine is moved to inoperative-position.

32. In a device of the class described, the combination of an ironer mechanism, of a cabinet and supporting structure therefor comprising,

a supporting frame, means for pivotally securing. said ironer mechanism to said frame for a movement of substantially ninety degrees about a I horizontal axis from an inoperative to an operative position, a table top fixed to said ironer mechanism and movable therewith from a horizontal position thereabove to a vertical position behind the ironer mechanism, the axis of movement of said ironer mechanism and tabletop being located a substantial distance below said table top when in its horizontal position, and a sidewall member pivotally suspended from said table top in a substantially vertical position for both positions of the table top.

behind the ironer mechanism, the axis of movement of said ironer mechanism and table top being located a substantial distance below said table top when inits horizontal position, and a member pivotally attached to said frame and movable from a vertical to a horizontal position in which latter position such member provides a work supporting surface when the ironer mechanism is in its operative position.

34. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism, of an enclosing and supporting structure therefor comprising a supporting framework, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism with respect to said framework for movement through an arc of substantially ninety degrees in adjusting the mechanism from an inoperative housed position to an operative open position, and contrarily, said structure including displaceable sections one of which is bodily movable, said sections defining in part at least the enclosure for the ironer mechanism when in its housed position, one of said sections being operably connected with said ironer mechanism and movable therewith, and means provided by said structure for supporting said bodily movable section in two difierent positions whereby when the ironer mechanism is in its inoperative position such section constitutesa part of the enclosure for the ironer mechanism as aforesaid and when said ironer mechanism is in its operative position such section may be located so as to constitute a work supporting surface.

35. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism, of an enclosing and supporting structure therefor comprising a supporting framework, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism with respect to said framework for movement through an arc of substantially ninety degrees in adjusting the mechanism from an inoperative housed position to an operative open position, and-contrarily, said structure including a pivotally and slidably mounted section which normally occupies an upright position when the ironer mechanism is in its housed position and which section occupies a horizontal position beneath the ironer mechanism when the mechanism is in its operative position, said section providing a work receiving surface beneath the ironer mechanism when in its latter position.

36. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism, of an enclosing and supporting structure therefor comprising a supporting framework, means for pivotally securing said ironer mechanism with respect to said framework for movement through an arc of substantially ninety degrees in adjusting the mechanism from an inoperative housed position to an operative open position, and contrarily, said structure including a. pivotally and slidably mounted section which normally occupies an upright position alongside of said ironer mechanism when the ironer mechanism is in its v 9 housed position and which section occupiesa horizontal position beneath the ironer mechanism when the mechanism is in its operative position, said section providing a work receiving surface beneath the ironer mechanism when in its latter position;

3'7. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism of an enclosing and supporting structure therefor comprising a supporting framework, a supporting element for said ironer mechanism, and pivotal connections for securing said supporting element with respect to said framework/whereby said ironer mechanism may be raised from a lower inoperative level to an upper operative level and contrarily, the enclosing part of said structure including displaceable sections for permitting access to said ironer mechanism, one of said sections being pivoted to said framework for movement of substantially ninety degrees about a horizontal axis and another of said sections being pivotally and slidably mounted on the framework for bodily movement to a position on the framework where it may be used as a work supporting I surface when the ironer mechanism is moved to its operative position, said enclosing and supporting-structure constituting a table of conventional height when the ironer mechanism is in its closed and inoperative position, the top of such table being at a substantially lower level than the top of the ironer mechanism when the ironer mechanism is in its operative position.

38. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism, of an enclosing and supporting structure therefor comprising a. supporting framework, a supporting element for said ironer mechanism, and pivotal connections for securing said supporting element with respect to said framework whereby said ironer mechanism may be. raised from a lower inoperative level to an upper operative level and con-' trarily, the enclosing part of said structure including displaceable sections for permitting ac.- cess to said ironer mechanism, one of said sections being pivotally and slidably mounted on said framework for bodily displacement to a position where it may be used asa work supporting surface and another of said sections being operatively connected to said supporting element and movable about a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the ironer mechanism between its operative and inoperative levels.

39. In a device of the class described, the combination with an ironer mechanism, of an enclosing and supporting structure therefor comprising a supporting framework, a supporting element for said ironer mechanism, and pivotal connections for securing said supporting element with respect to said framework whereby said ironer mechanism may be raised from a lower inoperative level to an upper operative level and contrarily,'the enclosing part of said structure including displaceable sections for permitting access to' face. i

I JOHN W. RACUJYEFT.

csa'r ncurs or CORRECTION.

atent No. 2,071,264. February 16, 1937.

JOHN w. RACKLYEFT;

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification or the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5; first column, line 13, for the word "released'F- read release; and second column, line 30-, for ,'of" before "gearing" read or]; line 43, claim 1, for "from" read for; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day ofMay, A. D; 1937,

I Henry Van Arsdale Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

